Football Season Just Seconds Away

Counting down to the first football game of the season is one thing, but ticking off every second until the preseason scrimmage?

They’re ready for some football over at Santa Margarita, where the team’s Web site, https://www.eaglesfootball.com, continuously marks off every second until the team’s scrimmage against Trabuco Hills at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Mission Viejo.

Real games also will be played this week, though few people in Orange County will see them.

On Thursday, Aliso Niguel plays Sebastian River of Sebastian, Fla., at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. On Saturday, Cypress plays at Handsworth of North Vancouver, British Columbia. Cypress should have the easier time against its Canadian opponent.

“They approach football a little different. It’s not as intense as it is in Southern California,” Cypress Coach Kerry Crabb said. “They’re a scrappy team, but they’re not as big as a typical team in California.”

Still, Crabb said, it’s difficult to gauge talent on a team from another country.

The trip isn’t all football. The Cypress players will stay with the Handsworth players’ families the night of the game.

“Our kids are going to be able to interact with high school kids from another country,” Crabb said. “This is truly an international trip.”

CHANGE OF HEART

Mater Dei quarterback Matt Leinart returned home from the first day of football practice last week ready to collapse. Not only had the senior endured two exhausting practices, he also had ended a grueling months-long debate by making a commitment to USC.

Leinart thought he was headed to Michigan only a few weeks ago, but changed his mind after realizing he had grown close to the Trojan coaches and that more of his family would be able to see him play in Southern California.

“I was actually moderately surprised by his decision,” Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “I thought he was leaning toward Michigan. But I think Matt had taken some quality time with his family and became more comfortable with staying close to home.”

The main drawback to Leinart attending USC is the presence of sophomore quarterback Carson Palmer.

“I think [Leinart] is rolling the dice a little bit that Carson might go out early,” Rollinson said. “I think anyone who follows football doesn’t foresee Carson Palmer staying at USC, certainly for the full three years. Matt’s in a great situation because he’ll play behind a great one. That’s a great learning tool for him.”

Leinart will also have to compete with Mission Viejo quarterback Billy Hart, who has committed to the Trojans.

CHANGE OF SCENERY

Rob Wigod may be leaving Los Alamitos, but he’s certainly not severing his ties to high school sports as the Southern Section’s new assistant commissioner.

“I’ve always enjoyed high school athletics,” said Wigod, the Griffins’ former athletic director and baseball coach. “The chance to work on such a large scale is a dream come true.”

Wigod spent the last two seasons as Los Alamitos’ baseball coach and the 1999-2000 school year as its athletic director. His teams compiled a 38-21 record, were Sunset League champions both years and advanced to at least the quarterfinals of the playoffs each season.

ROYAL DECREE REVERSED

Mater Dei boys’ basketball Coach Gary McKnight vowed in March that his team would never again set foot in the Bren Events Center because of increased costs and a lack of flexibility in scheduling.

McKnight has since softened his stance and expects to play at least two games at the UC Irvine venue--against Foothill and Bellflower St. John Bosco--during the 2000-2001 season.

The Monarchs, still awaiting construction of a proposed campus facility that will seat 3,000, will also play games against Servite and Santa Margarita at the Pyramid in Long Beach this season.

If you have an item or idea for the high school report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at ben.bolch@latimes.com or martin.henderson@latimes.com